Lin Chih-sheng, the Chinese Professional Baseball League’s all-time leader with 305 home runs, went deep in the final at-bat of his 22-year career in Taiwan on Sunday, as his club, the Wei Chuan Dragons, defeated the TSG Hawks 11-1.
The home run, Lin’s first and only of the season, was hit in the sixth inning following a standing ovation from the crowd at the Taipei Dome in Taiwan. While rounding third base, he tipped his helmet to the Hawks’ dugout and then was met with over a dozen hugs by his teammates.
“Before my last plate appearance, the home plate umpire told me to walk slower to the batter’s box, so the fans can cherish this moment and thank me for my years of service,” Lin told Liberty Sports after the game.
The Taipei Dome’s crowd chanted his name as he returned to the dugout, too, showing their appreciation for one of the best players in their country’s history.
Lin, 43, began his professional baseball career in 2004 with the La New Bears. He’s held the CPBL’s home run record since surpassing Chang Tai-shan’s mark of 289 in 2022. Lin hit 31 or more home runs three times in his career, including a career high 34 roundtrippers during the 2016 season with the Chinatrust Brothers.
In international competition, Lin represented Taiwan in the 2006 and 2013 editions of the World Baseball Classic. Outside of the CPBL, the slugger played 39 games with the Australian Baseball League’s Brisbane Bandits during the 2017-18 campaign, hitting .310 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs.
The Dragons are 20-1-20 during the second half of the 2025 CPBL season and have a 49-1-51 record overall. They will finish the remainder of the season without Lin as he enters retirement.
Photo: Lin Chih Sheng watches the ball after hits an RBI double against Israel’s pitcher Tyler Herron during the 6th inning of their first round game of the World Baseball Classic at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Lin retired as the CPBL’s all-time home run king after hitting a home run in his final at-bat. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
